Senior Manager, Sourcing Development, Footwear, Altra

About your role:

You will lead cross-country Product Development teams, overseeing the entire product development process from concept through Buy Ready. This includes ensuring that all samples and materials fully comply with Tech Pack specifications, as well as Brand fit, performance, and quality standards. In this role, you will cultivate strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to drive adherence to GTM milestones and act as a strategic partner by offering insights and recommendations to enhance product and consumer satisfaction. Furthermore, you will play a key role in developing a strong talent pipeline by establishing a solid foundation for knowledge sharing and creating meaningful learning opportunities.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in product development, proven leadership experience, and the capability to co-create solutions while challenging conventional product development activities and timelines. Success in this role depends on the ability to shape and influence decisions, build strong internal and external relationships, and champion continuous improvement.

Your responsibilities will include (but not limited):

• Lead the Sourcing Product Development team, setting clear priorities, coaching team members, and fostering a high-performance culture;
• Oversee product development from concept to Buy Ready (covering T1 to T2 processes), ensuring that samples and materials fully comply with Tech Pack specifications, as well as Brand fit, performance, and quality standards
• Builds strong, multi-level relationships by proactively collaborating and effectively engaging with both internal and external stakeholders to drive product development activities.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to Sourcing leaders and Brand partners by proactively providing insights and recommendations that inform product/vendor strategy decisions, identify improvement opportunities, and co-create solutions to enhance product and consumer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Brand teams to formalize development calendars and ensure strict adherence to deadlines and milestones in alignment with the GTM calendar, challenging conventional product calendars when appropriate to enhance agility and speed.
• Provide regular and accurate updates on seasonal GTM progress to stakeholders, offering early warnings of potential issues or delays, and proactively highlighting opportunities for improvement.
• Support the Commercialization team in developing standardized processes and adopting industry best practices.
• Work closely with the Global Supply Planning team leader to validate product allocation, factory capacity bookings, and production plans, ensuring they are viable and realistic.
• Support knowledge transfer initiatives and facilitate the development of the talent pipeline by documenting processes, implementing training programs, and promoting learning opportunities to ensure the organization’s long-term capability and growth.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends, material innovations, and manufacturing best practices.
• Promote a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement, upholding VF Values and embracing the VF “Winning Together” culture in every interaction with direct reports, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.

What we will be looking for in you:

• Advanced knowledge of the product creation process from design brief through T2 completion (Buy Ready). Technical expertise will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of the product category within the scope of this role with proven experience - deep understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and construction methods;
• You will be coaching and developing your team, providing timely constructive feedback enabling them to excel and realize their potential.
• Proven leadership experience in managing multi-cultural teams and ability to influence stakeholders on a global level to advance business goals.
• Drive and passion to make a difference, presenting a growth mindset that role models positivity and curiosity to your team and peers.
• Someone that shapes and influences strategic decisions, you will be capable of capturing your audience’s attention, being composed and well prepared.
• Ability to lead, facilitate and champion change.
• Good business acumen and understanding of the competitive global business environment, as well as an awareness of economic, social and political trends that impact the organization’s global strategy.

Key Attributes:

• Embodies the highest level of personal and professional integrity and ethics.
• Passion for product and a consumer-first mindset;
• Able to manage complex and conflicting interpersonal interactions with others, solve problems, make decisions, operate independently and with discretion, and work effectively under pressure. 
• Possesses excellent organizational and analytical skills and prioritize and can successfully execute multiple tasks/projects.
• Able to collaborate with peers and superiors while building relationships with individuals and organizations across the globe. 
• Maintains a global perspective and is culturally sensitive and aware.
• Demonstrates a creative, energetic, and motivated spirit.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field. MBA is a plus;
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in the field of product development, with at least 5 years in a senior managerial role;
• Experience working with overseas factories, and a multi-cultural factory management team;
• Proven experience in leading & developing team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, PLM systems, and production planning tools.
• Fluent in English (written and Verbal) additional languages are a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively within the region.